NuScale Power Stock Surges on DOE Loan Support for Nuclear Reactors NuScale Power Corporation’s shares surged 5.73 percent after securing a key small modular reactor (SMR) project contract, driven by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees that are expected to boost financing for advanced nuclear projects. The stock climbed to around $11.80–$11.90, reflecting heightened investor optimism about the company’s position in the nuclear revival and its potential to benefit from federal support. The DOE’s recent testimony before Congress highlighted that the first 5–10 new reactors, including SMR designs, will likely receive loan guarantees, a development that directly impacts companies like NuScale Power. This policy shift has improved financing visibility for advanced reactor projects, positioning NuScale as a central player in the emerging nuclear energy sector. Analysts and traders have interpreted the news as a catalyst for the stock, with recent sessions seeing SMR rise 15–16 percent amid heavy momentum trading. Financially, NuScale Power remains a development-stage company with minimal revenue. Its quarterly revenue stood at approximately $31.5 million, yet its price-to-sales ratio exceeded 130, indicating that investors are pricing in future growth potential rather than current earnings. The company operates at a significant loss, with negative profit margins and returns on equity and assets in the red. However, its balance sheet provides a buffer, holding about $836 million in cash and no long-term debt. Liquidity ratios of 4.3 suggest strong short-term financial health, though operating cash flow remains sharply negative, with over $200 million in losses reported in the latest quarter. Analyst coverage reflects a mix of cautious optimism and risk warnings.#hsbc #tennessee_valley_authority #department_of_energy #nu_scale_power #small_modular_reactor
FBI Investigates Disappearances and Deaths of Scientists at Secret Government Labs The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation into the deaths and disappearances of 10 scientists and staff members who worked at classified government laboratories, including facilities tied to nuclear and space technology. Senior law enforcement officials confirmed that the FBI is spearheading efforts to determine if there are connections between the cases, which span over three years and involve researchers and staff from institutions such as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. The agency is collaborating with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and state and local law enforcement to gather information. Despite the FBI’s involvement, officials close to the investigations have emphasized that there is no evidence linking the cases together. The disappearances and deaths, which occurred across different locations and timeframes, have sparked widespread speculation, particularly on social media, about potential espionage or covert operations targeting U.S. nuclear and space programs. However, those familiar with the cases have dismissed such theories, suggesting the incidents are more likely the result of personal tragedies, such as illness, accidents, or suicide. President Donald Trump raised concerns about the matter last week, stating that he had recently attended a meeting on the issue and described it as “pretty serious stuff.” He acknowledged the possibility of coincidence but noted that some of the missing individuals were “very important people.#fbi #department_of_energy #department_of_defense #los_alamos_national_laboratory #national_nuclear_security_administration
Deaths and disappearances of scientists spark federal probe The House Oversight Committee announced Monday it will investigate reports of the deaths and disappearances of scientists who had access to sensitive scientific information. The FBI said it is leading efforts to find connections among the missing and deceased individuals, working with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and local law enforcement. The cases have raised questions about possible links, though no conclusive evidence has been found. The FBI stated it is “spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists” and is coordinating with federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. The Department of Energy referred questions to the White House, while NASA confirmed it is “coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies” but emphasized that “nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat.” The White House said it is also working with federal agencies to probe potential links, with President Donald Trump describing the matter as “pretty serious stuff.” The House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer, called the situation a “national security threat” and is prioritizing the investigation. Comer told Fox News that the circumstances “very unlikely” to be a coincidence, prompting the committee to seek briefings from the FBI, the Defense Department, the Department of Energy, and NASA. The Defense Department said it would respond directly to the committee, and the Department of Energy did not comment beyond referring questions to the White House. The cases vary widely in circumstance. Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play.#nasa #house_oversight_committee #fbi #department_of_energy #department_of_defense
Cebu Pacific Ensures Fuel Supply Through April, Expands Plans for May and Beyond Cebu Pacific, the budget airline, has confirmed it has secured enough jet fuel to sustain operations until the end of April and is already taking steps to ensure supply for May and beyond. The airline highlighted this in a statement released on Wednesday, emphasizing its efforts to mitigate risks posed by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted global fuel markets. According to data published Tuesday by the Department of Energy, the country currently holds enough jet fuel to last approximately 38 days. Despite the potential for international disruptions to impact aviation fuel availability, Cebu Pacific stated it remains well-prepared to manage supply risks. The airline attributed its resilience to its strong financial performance in 2025, its focus on domestic routes, and its modern, fuel-efficient fleet. The carrier reported a significant increase in net income for 2025, more than doubling to P12.3 billion from P5.4 billion in the previous year. This growth was driven by higher passenger numbers, improved revenue from ancillary services, and gains from non-core business activities. Cebu Pacific also outlined its plans to continue modernizing its fleet in 2025, with the delivery of seven new aircraft and the retirement of seven older units. This strategy aims to maintain a fleet size of 100 aircraft while increasing the proportion of next-generation planes. As of now, the airline operates one of the youngest fleets globally, comprising 14 Airbus A330s, 27 A321s, 39 A320s, and 20 ATR turboprop aircraft. These planes serve 37 domestic destinations and 26 international routes.#middle_east #department_of_energy #cebu_pacific #airbus_a330 #at_r_turboprop
PSE Rate Proposal Could Raise Seattle Area Bills Seattle area households and businesses may face significant increases in energy costs as Puget Sound Energy seeks approval for a three-year rate plan that would raise electric and natural gas bills from 2027 to 2029. The utility filed its proposal on February 27, proposing a front-loaded increase in the first year, which could add dozens of dollars to monthly bills for many customers. These hikes would build on existing rate adjustments already in place for 2025 and 2026. Puget Sound Energy is requesting state regulators to approve the plan, which would allow the utility to recover over $1.5 billion in costs. The proposed increases—29.32% for electric service and 19.83% for natural gas over three years—would fund investments in new power generation, transmission upgrades, and grid improvements. These projects aim to meet rising demand and comply with state mandates for clean energy. The utility argues that the funds are necessary to ensure reliability and resilience against extreme weather events and wildfires. For residential customers, the impact would be noticeable. A typical electric user consuming 800 kilowatt-hours per month could see an additional $28 in early 2027, rising to about $7 in 2028 and nearly $16 in 2029. Natural gas customers using 64 therms monthly would face a $14 increase in 2027, with smaller annual adjustments in the following years. The utility also highlights projected federal tax credits worth $529 million, which it claims would offset some of the costs for customers. The proposal comes amid broader challenges for utilities, including surging demand from data centers driven by artificial intelligence. A recent study by the Berkeley Lab, supported by the Department of Energy, warns that U.S.#seattle #puget_sound_energy #berkeley_lab #department_of_energy #house_bill_2515
